Grow From Burnout to Authentic Alignment

If you have landed here from my YouTube Channel, welcome. If you have landed on this blog post, please take a look at my YouTube series of the same name here. 

In the YouTube series we will cover the healing journey in 12 steps from burnout to authentic alignment.

The graphic above is a tool I am sharing, which helps you work out where you are now, and where you want to be in the future. We can be at the brink of burnout and we still keep trying to just keep going. But it’s important to take stock and work out where we are now, before we plan the next steps. The accompanying video in episode 3 of my series: From Burnout to Authentic Alignment will help you fill it in for yourself.

Are You Experiencing Burnout?

If you have heard the word burnout, but are not sure if this applies to you, look at my checklist. Although it varies from person to person, there can be come common signs.

Physical Signs:

• A constant feeling of fatigue or exhaustion, even after rest?
• Changes in your digestive system, muscle aches, frequent headaches
• Oversleeping, or trouble falling asleep
• Catching more colds than usual

Emotional Signs:

• Feeling overwhelmed or not bothered
• Increased irritability or frustration
• Lack of interest or motivation
• A sense of helplessness or failure

Behavioural Signs:

• Struggling to get started with projects, procrastinating most of the time
• Finding it difficult to complete tasks
• Avoiding other people
• Over-relying on food, alcohol or drugs to relax

Cognitive Signs

• Finding it hard to make decisions
• Feeling foggy in your mind, not sure what you think
• Being negative and very low in spirits

We all feel some of these signs, some of the time. If you notice a lot of changes in how you feel, and if overwhelm is a huge part of every day life, this could indicate that you are experiencing burnout. For many of my clients it was the combination of a lot of these signs which told them that they needed to seek help.

12 Steps to Move Towards Alignment

If you notice several of these signs, you will find that it is affecting your everyday life. It might be time to take a step back and find ways to rest and recover. There are a number of things you can do including speaking to a doctor to ensure there are no underlying issues. Finding ways to reduce your stress levels is going to be important. Recovering from burnout takes time, but here are some effective ways to relieve stress and rebuild energy:

Prioritise Rest & Self-Care

• 1. Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep. Try a bedtime routine to improve sleep hygiene.
• 2. Nutrition: Eat balanced meals with whole foods, protein, and healthy fats to support brain function.
• 3. Exercise: Even light activities like walking or stretching can boost mood and energy.

Set Boundaries

• 4. Learn to say no: Avoid over committing and protect your personal time.
• 5. Take breaks: Step away from work regularly—try the Pomodoro technique or short mindfulness breaks.

Engage in Relaxing Activities

• 6. Mindfulness & Meditation: Helps calm the mind and reduce anxiety.
• 7. Hobbies: Engage in creative or enjoyable activities (music, art, gardening, etc.).
• 8. Spending time in nature: Fresh air and green spaces can be incredibly healing.

Seek Social Support

• 9. Talk to someone: Friends, family, or a therapist can help you process stress.
• 10. Join a support group: Connecting with others going through similar struggles can be helpful.

Reassess Work & Life Balance

• 11. Delegate tasks: Don’t try to do everything yourself.
• 12. Adjust expectations: Perfectionism can fuel burnout—allow yourself to be human.

12 Steps to Alignment

I talk a lot about alignment. What I am speaking about here is when your thoughts, words and behaviour all line up and make perfect sense. You are congruent in the thoughts you think, the words you say and the actions you take. There is no space for confusion, because you are aligned. So much of the work I do with my clients is about helping them achieve this. When they are feeling aligned they most often tell me they feel a sense of peace and they feel free.

If you are looking for support on your journey, why not book a consultation and find out how I can support you?